In light of Ali Funeka recently testing positive for a banned substance it’s hard to argue against strict testing in boxing, but I found it hard to not be more sympathetic to Manny Pacquiao’s resistance to USADA drug testing following the first episode of HBO’s 24/7.
In anyone missed the show, much of it revolved around the testing procedure that ultimately killed the Manny Pacquiao vs. Floyd Mayweather superfight. I’ve made no secret of the fact that I think the entire issue is more of an unhelpful distraction and part of the mental warfare from the Mayweather camp.
Obviously Pacquiao’s assertions that having blood drawn will weaken him are scientifically wrong, but watching the invasive procedure made me believe more than ever that there is a reason for Pacquiao to resist such testing.
We learned in the episode that those in charge of testing had already visited both teams camps multiple times, and that the procedure takes several hours to complete. Mayweather was strangely excited when the testers showed up, even though it meant he was forced to spend the next five hours in their presence. His strange celebration seemed forced and actually made me cringe.
Mosley’s reaction was less enthusiastic, but he seemed willing to allow the inconvenience given the opportunity and his past history.
After watching the show, however, I can’t help but think that the testing is too much, too invasive. I’m certain that it is accurate, but in much the same way much of airport security is helpful, some times you wonder if it’s worth the trade off in quality of life.
There is a sacred rhythm to training camp, it is intense and personal and simple. Interjecting an extra level of scrutiny and stress doesn’t seem as non-invasive as many of Pacquaio’s critics have argued. There has to be another way to get accurate testing without that level of distraction and intrusion.
Like many areas in life there is a fine line between fairness and harassment. Reasonable people can disagree, but I’ve always believed in the philosophy that it’s preferable that 99 guilty men go free rather than one innocent man be punished. I feel much the same way about intrusions in privacy.
If someone offered me 40 million dollars to undergo that kind of testing and daily proctology exams I would sign up immediately. But, if I was in a position to turn down that same offer without any diminution in quality of life I’d say go to hell.
It’s about more than just a few drops of blood, and there are no easy answers.
